Prehospital care of equine fracture patients

Abstract

Rescue of severely injured horses A specially trained large animal rescue team, operating in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, specializes in the rescue of large animals involved in automobile accidents or trapped in precarious situations (Fig 1). Depending on the circumstance, it may be necessary to use a rescue net and crane or a helicopter. Rescues efforts may be conducted in the upright, lateral or dorsal recumbency positions. Rescuing horses must be well planned and calmly executed under the supervision of an experienced equine veterinary specialist (Fig 2). Up to now no complications have been encountered during these rescue efforts. Although every rescue operation must be performed promptly, time is of secondary importance to the mental well-being of the horse. As flight is a horse’s only protective response, any injury preventing this activity represents mental anguish for the animal. Thus, hastily improvised rescue procedures will be inadequate and result in additional trauma. Optimal treatment includes: initial wound management, infection prophylaxis, proper analgesia, intravenous fluid therapy, sedation and possibly anesthesia, stabilization of the fracture and careful and safe rescue with proper transportation. Transport of the injured horse in a supporting harness A harness which supports the horse’s entire weight and does not interfere with their respiration and balance should be used (Fig 3). It allows the horse to rest its limbs during transport, reducing anxiety and pain, and improves the general attitude of the patient. It is imperative that everything is checked repeatedly throughout the transport, so that problems can be immediately identified and corrected promptly. Most horses alternately rest one limb after the other. After some time, horses with a properly splinted fractured limb will frequently bear some weight on it while being supported by a harness, thereby resting the healthy contralateral limb. Fig 1 Ideal emergency vehicle: The SUV is equipped with blinking lights and all the necessary emergency equipment for rescuing horses. The trailer has an axle constructed close to the ground, which results in a ramp with a gentle slope. The roof is reinforced to allow the installation of a support harness. A winch is built into the front wall to allow a recumbent patient to be pulled into the trailer. 1